A rumor that's been floating around for the past few weeks is apparently true--sources are telling me that the St. Matthew's Baptist Church, on the southwest corner of New Jersey and L, is being sold. The sale hasn't been finalized yet (though there is a contract), and there's no word on what the sale price is or when the church would vacate; they're now looking for property in Prince George's County where they can build a new church. The property is assessed at just under $4.5 million, though the person I talked to cited problems with parking for members of the congregation (and knowing that it's only going to get worse) as the reason for leaving, not some sort of big payday.

In a real surprise, my sources are indicating that it's not being sold to Donohoe, which has reportedly tried in the past to acquire the church property as part of its plans for 1111 New Jersey Avenue. Given this, I wonder if there are further moves in the works at this corner. And then there's the question of whether Ann's Beauty Supply and Wigs next door to the church will stand fast, having arrived on L Street not that long ago after having to leave Waterside Mall in Southwest.

UPDATE, 11/24: Hmmm, well, now I'm hearing a different it's-not-Donohoe name than what I heard/posted yesterday, from a different source, and so I'm deleting the original reference just to try to be safe. Perhaps we'll read about it in the papers eventually. Grrrr, I hate boo-boos!

UPDATE, 11/26: Oh, for crying out loud, I was right the first time. (In other words, I was wrong about being wrong.) Additional checking has confirmed that is indeed the Ruben Companies, owner of three of the four corners at South Capitol and L (including 1100 South Capitol) that is buying the church's property.

Yards parcel L-2. Construction of foundation and underground parking garage for new 11 story multi-family mixed used residential building at 227 Tingey Street SE as part of development of Parcel L at the Yards